Separable plug and socket connector



Dec. 8, 1953 s. MINNECI ETAL 2,662,222

SEPARABLE PLUG AND SOCKET CONNECTOR Filed Oct. 51, 1952' w /7 Pigl. 6

V ITIVGTTBOYS: Szflvatore M'mneci, ErniLJ. De Noyers, by Wfi 725%;

Then" Attorney.

Patented Dec. 8, 1953 SEPARABLE PLUG AND SOCKET CONNECTOR SalvatoreMinneci and Emil J. De Noyers, Pittsfield, Mass., assignors to GeneralElectric Company, a corporation of New York Application October 31,1952, Serial No. 318,036

4 Claims. (Cl. 339-255) This invention relates to a separable electricalplug and socket connector of the bayonet type and, more particularly, toimprovements in the resiliently expansible socket structure which formsa part of the connector.

Heretofore connectors of the above mentioned type have been providedwith resiliently expansible sockets in which there is utilized a garterspring arrangement encircling outer contact segments and forcing thesesegments into clamping engagement about an inner contact element. Thisgarter spring arrangement is subject to several disadvantages. One ofthese disadvantages is that the garter spring is, in its normal use,subjected to an undesirable tension load. Another disadvantage of thegarter spring arrangement is that the garter spring materially increasesthe size of the connector, thereby resulting in design difliculties incases where the available space is limited. Still another disadvantageof the garter spring arrangement is that in case the garter springshould fail, the spring would become suddenly detached from the socketstructure, thereby resulting in possible damages to surrounding objectsor equipment.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a novel,simple, and sturdy connector which eliminates the garter type of springarrangement and its resulting disadvantages. In our novel type ofconnector, the socket is constructed of a pair of pivoted outer contactsegments which are forced about an inner contact element by a "buriedspring arrangement. This buried spring arrangement is constructed and isarranged to cooperate with. the connector in such a manner that itincorporation into the connector does not increase the size of theconnector, thereby permitting a very compact design. This buried springarrangement is further characterized by the fact that its springs arenot subjected to tension loads but merely act in compression duringnormal use, thereby resulting in a more durable spring construction. Anadditional feature of our connector is that the spring is prevented frombecoming detached from the connector in case of spring failure.

An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved bayonet typeplug and socket con nector. Another object of the invention is toprovide a compactly designed connector which is provided with a safe andsturdy compression spring arrangement utilizing a minimum of surroundingspace.

The invention will be better understood by considering the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, and itsscope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a connector embodying the presentinvention.

Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the connector shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view partly in section taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Referring now to the drawing, and more particularly to Fig. 1, there isshown a socket structure generally indicated at l and a contact plugstructure generally indicated at 2. As shown more clearly in Fig. 3, thesocket structure I comprises two pivotally mounted outer contactsegments 3 which are arranged on opposite sides of a conductor 4. Eachof these outer contact segments i provided with a rib 5 which extendslaterally across the segment. These ribs, which are semi-circular incross-sectional shape, form pivots about which the segments rock onopposite sides of member 4. They are forced into contacting relationshipwith member 4 and the plug structure 2 by buried spring assemblies 6.The contact plug structure 2 is provided with an enlarged generallyspherical head 1, and the outer contact segments 3 are provided withopposed recesses which together form a hollow 8 at their outer ends.This hollow 3 is of a generally cylindrical shape and has a flared mouth8a terminating in a restriction 82). A hollow of this form willcooperate with the headed plug to permit easy insertion of the plug andwill permit the plug to be withdrawn by a force along the plug axissufficient to overcome the clamping action of the buried springassemblies 6.

Each buried spring assembly comprises a flanged cylinder 9 disposedintermediate opposite ends of the contact segments. Each of theseflanged cylinders forms a mounting for substantially identical springmechanisms. Each of the cylinders is fitted into registering openingsformed in the conductor 4 and contact segments 3. There is sufficientclearance between each cylinder and its surrounding opening so as topermit a pivotal movement of the contact segments about the pivots 5.Slidably mounted within each flanged cylinder 9 is a headed plunger l0having a cupped washer ll held on one of its ends by a cotter pin l2held in place within an opening in the plunger. Although a cotter pin isshown, it is obvious that any suitable pin might be used instead,especially in view of the fact that the flanged portion of cupped washerl I is adapted to prevent accidental detachment of such a pin. Acompression spring I 3 is disposed between the head M of the pin and anend wall l5 of the cylinder. This compression spring 13 normally urgesthe head M away from the end wall [5. The spring force on the head I4 istransmitted to the lower contact segment 3 through the washer I l, andthe spring force on the end wall I5 is transmitted to the upper contactsegment 3 through the cylinder flange .I6 which is positionedagainst theouter surface of this upper contact segment. Thus each spring I3,through its associated mechanism, urge the contact segments 3 togetherand into contacting relationship with contact plug 2.

It is to be noted that the contact segments 3 are formed with recesses17 on their outer sides. The flanges I6 and the washer structure II, I2fit within the confines of these recesses H and do not extend materiallybeyond the extreme outer surfaces I8 of the contact segments 3. Thus, itmay be seen that by utilizing the particular buried spring assemblies 6shown, a very compact design is provided. This spring arrangement,because of its novel disposition and coaction with its adjacent parts,functions in a very efiicient manner and yet does not add to the size ofthe connector structure.

It is to be further noted that the spring assemblies 6 are spaced andmounted in a line between the pivots 5 and the hollow 8, with thatspring assembly 6 adjacent the pivots 5 acting predominantly to forcethe pivots 5 into firm mechanical and electrical contact with conductor4, and the other spring assembly 5 acting predominantly to forcethe'contact segments 3 into to pivot about a vertical axis through thecenter of a spring assembly 6. This tendency would ex- 'ist if only asingle spring assembly were present.

It is to be still further noted that in the event of spring failure, thespring I3 would remain housed within its cylinder 9 and would not becomedetached from the connector.

The operation of the connector is as follows.

When it is desired to insert the contact plug 2, it is merely forcedinto the hollow 8. The pressure of the spherical head I against theflared mouth 8a of hollow 8 forces apart the contact segments 3 againstthe action of the spring assemblies 6. When the spherical head movespast the restriction 8b, the contact segments 3 are forced togetherbythe spring assemblies, and the plug is clamped firmly in place in theposition shown in Fig. 3. Similarly, the plug may be withdrawn byexerting an axial force upon it sufiicient to force the contact segments3 apart in opposition to-the spring assemblies. 1 "While there has beenshown and described a particular embodiment of the invention, it will beobvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications maybe made without departing from the invention .and therefore it isintended by the appended claims to cover all such changes andmodifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters ,Patent of theUnited States is:

1. In an electrical plug and socket connector of the bayonet type, asocket structure comprisin a rigid conductor having oppositely disposed.outer sides; two outer contact segments pivotally mounted on said outersides, said contact segments being formed with recessed end portionswhich together form a hollow adapted to receive a contact plug therein;a buriedspring assembly connected between said .outer contact segmentsand adapted to force said segments into clamping engagement about acontact plug, said buried spring assembly comprising a flanged cylinderfitted within oppositely disposed registering openings formed in saidconductor and said contact segments, the flange on said cylinder beingpositioned against an outer surface of one of said contact segments, aheaded plunger mounted withinsaid cylinder and having an end abutmentpositioned against an outer surface of the other of said contactsegments, and a compression spring mounted between said plunger head anda portion of said flanged cylinder, said spring acting to force saidcontact segments together so that a contact plug may be clamped in placewithin said hollow.

2, In an electrical plug and socket connector of the bayonet type, asocket structure. comprising a rigid conductor having oppositelydisposed .outer sides; two outer contact segments, each being pivotallysupported upon said conductor by a pivot positionedat one end of thesegment, said contact segments being formed at their other ends withrecessed portions which together form a hollow adapted to receive acontact plug therein; a pair of buried spring assemblies connectedbetween said outer contact segments and adapted to force said segmentsinto clamping engagement about a contact plug, each buried springassembly comprising a pair of flanged cylinders, each fitted withinoppositely disposed registering openings formed in said conductor andsaid contact segments, the flange on eachof said cylinders beingpositioned against an outer surface of one of said contact segments, aheaded plunger mounted within each of said cylinders and hav ing an endabutment positioned against an outer surface of the other of saidcontactsegments,

and a compression spring mounted between each of said plunger heads anda portion of each of said flanged cylinders, said spring acting to forcesaid contact segments together so that a contact plug may be clamped inplace within said hollow.

3. The structure set forth in claim .1 further characterized by theouter surfaces of said contact segments being formed with .oppositelydisposed recessed areas, .said recessed areas receiving said cylinderflange and said end abutment; said recesses, said flange, and said .endabutment being so constructed and arranged that .the flange and the endabutment do not extend materially beyond the extreme outer surfaces ofthe contact segments.

4. The structure set forth in claim 2 further characterized by said twospring assemblies being spaced and being mounted on a line between thepivots and the hollow; one of said spring assemblies acting predominantlto force the pivots intofirm electrical contact with the conductor; andthe other of said spring assemblies adapted to act predominantly toforce the contact segnients into firm electrical contact with a contactp ug.

SALVATORE MINNECI. EMIL J. DE NOYERS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,500398 Johnson, Jr July 8, 192.4 2,247,282 Webb June 24,1941 2,331,255 West Oct. 5, 19.43

